Both men and women can experience pain during sex for a variety of reasons. However, sexual pain isn’t normal and even if you feel embarrassed to talk about it, you shouldn’t ignore what your body is trying to tell you.
At Urology Specialist Group, our medical team has extensive experience in addressing the underlying cause of painful sex. Because we offer comprehensive men’s health and women’s health services, our team can identify why sex is painful through advanced diagnostic testing.
We also customize treatment plans to increase your comfort and protect your physical and reproductive health.
Pain during sex can be a warning sign that something more serious is going on with your physical or mental health.
In men, pain with sex can occur if you have an unidentified infection or a sexually transmitted disease (STD). These issues can cause soreness, itching, and discomfort in your genitals that makes sexual intercourse painful.
Infections can also cause pain during urination and without treatment, can worsen and spread to other areas of your body.
Men may also experience sexual pain because of:
Men may also experience sexual discomfort, pain, or erectile dysfunction because of underlying psychological factors, including excessive stress, anxiety, and depression.
Similarly to men, sexual pain in women (dyspareunia) can be the result of infections, STDs, mental health disorders, or emotional distress. Women may be at increased risk for sexual pain because of gynecological conditions like:
Gastrointestinal issues, such as constipation and irritable bowel syndrome, can also contribute to pain during sex.
As women get older and transition to menopause, the time when periods stop for good, they can experience a wide range of symptoms, including pain with sex. This is largely due to the loss of estrogen, a hormone that plays a role in many reproductive and physical functions of the body.
With lower estrogen levels, a women’s natural lubrication ability is lessened, which can lead to pain during sex. Menopause can also cause shrinkage of the vaginal tissues, making penetration uncomfortable or painful.
Women may also find sex painful because of vaginismus, involuntary muscle spasms that affect the muscles in and around your vagina. This condition can make penetration painful or impossible.
While it may feel weird to talk to someone else about your sexual health, it’s important that you don’t delay a diagnostic evaluation for painful sex. We encourage both men and women to be honest about their sexual health concerns, so we can address them properly.
There are many treatments available to address underlying issues that affect your sexual health. We work closely with you to design a treatment plan that makes sex more comfortable and fulfilling.
Our urology specialists also focus on your overall wellness by properly diagnosing and treating STDs and other infections, prostate inflammation in men, and gynecological issues in women.
In addition to prescribing medications for infections and other medical issues, we can recommend lifestyle changes that help improve your sexual wellness. Our physicians can also refer you for psychological counseling to address underlying emotional or mental health disorders that affect your sex life.
To schedule a diagnostic evaluation for sexual pain, call the Urology Specialist Group office nearest to you today or book a consultation online.
